"News is a flirty business & it seems like current epidemic of #SexHarassmentAllegations may be criminalizing courtship & conflating it w predation" Rivera tweeted Wednesday.

Lauer was axed from his longtime job as host of the "Today" show after investigating allegations by female NBC staffers of "inappropriate sexual behavior." According to reports, several women have accused Lauer of sexually harassing them; one said he exposing his penis in his office, and another employee alleged he sexually assaulted her in 2001.

Rivera, who currently serves as a roaming correspondent for Fox News Channel, suggested Lauer's alleged victims may been motivated by revenge or money.

"#SexHarassment should be confined to situations where superior imposes himself on subordinate who feels unable to complain because of power of perp or feared consequences to victim's employment. Shouldn't be used to get even w bad bosses or hated ex's," Rivera wrote on Twitter. "SexHarassment allegations should require: 1-made in a timely fashion-say w/n 5 yrs. 2-some contemporaneous corroboration, like witnesses, electronic or written communications. W $ settlements in multi-millions slight chance exists some victims are motivated by more than justice."

Fox News, where Rivera has worked since 2001, distanced themselves from his comments.

"Geraldo's tweets do not reflect the views of Fox News or its management. We were troubled by his comments and are addressing them with him," the cable news network said in a statement Wednesday.

The entertainment industry has been shaken in recent months by allegations of sexual harassment and assault, including against film producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and former CBS host Charlie Rose. Fox News has faced its own misconduct allegations, severing ties with former CEO Roger Ailes, former exec Bill Shine, and former top-rated host Bill O'Reilly.

Rivera issued an apology late Wednesday night about his comments.

"I didn't sufficiently explain that this is a horrendous problem long hidden," he tweeted. "Harassers are deviants who deserve what is coming to them. Often victims are too frightened to come forward in a timely fashion. I humbly apologize."

Sad about @MLauer great guy, highly skilled & empathetic w guests & a real gentleman to my family & me. News is a flirty business & it seems like current epidemic of #SexHarassmentAllegations may be criminalizing courtship & conflating it w predation. What about #GarrisonKeillor?

A jerk's a jerk in dating. #SexHarassment should be confined to situations where superior imposes himself on subordinate who feels unable to complain because of power of perp or feared consequences to victim's employment. Shouldn't be used to get even w bad bosses or hated ex's

#SexHarassment allegations should require: 1-made in a timely fashion-say w/n 5 yrs. 2-some contemporaneous corroboration, like witnesses, electronic or written communications. W $ settlements in multi-millions slight chance exists some victims are motivated by more than justice

This issue is so red hot right now there is no room for any thought or opinion but hang em high. If News wasn't (formerly) a flirty biz then how do we explain so many newsroom courtships that have led to happy marriages?

Reaction to my tweets today on #sexharassment makes clearI didn't sufficiently explain that this is a horrendous problemlong hidden-Harassers are deviants who deserve what is comingto them-Often victims are too frightened to comeforward in a timely fashion-I humbly apologize